From the Shadows
Author: Neil White
Publisher: Zaffre

Mary Kendricks is brutally murdered, and Robert Carter is the man accused of killing her. Mary’s roommates tell the story of how Robert stalked Mary, harassed her everywhere she went. But Dan Grant and his investigator aren’t as sure as everyone else is that Robert is guilty.

Dan Grant is hired to defend Robert; it doesn’t matter to him if his client is guilty or not. Dan believes in justice and intends to make certain Robert gets it. He sends out his investigator, Jayne Brett to find the evidence he needs to put doubt into the minds of the jury. He has only two weeks to put together a defense that will help Robert Carter walk free and find the real killer.

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The characters and story in Neil White’s book, “From the Shadows” are very realistic. The story in and of itself is a page turner and will leave readers breathless in anticipation. The story line is easily followed but a bit convoluted at times. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and enough action to satisfy even the most hardened suspense devotee.

Jayne is a great character filled with emotion and fear. Her past keeps interfering with her now, and her future. The fear she lives with daily won’t allow her to keep still for long. Death is a part of her past, and it isn’t so much that she is running from that past, as it is that she is running from the fear she has of her actions. Is she a killer, and if so, could she do it again?

Dan’s memories of the past help him keep grounded but also gives him concern. His sense of justice is amplified every time he walks into a courtroom or gets a call from a correctional facility. He is the attorney anyone who is accused of a crime hopes they have. The remaining cast of characters all have eccentricities that delight and frighten readers all at once, from those who have a lackluster concern for the murder of one of their own to those whose only concern is themselves.

This book is fast-paced and easily read in one sitting. The writing is professional, and the flow is excellent. Readers of suspense and thrillers will be drawn to this book. “From the Shadows” is recommended and will entertain as well as surprise.

I always love a good legal thriller and this book didn't disappoint! This story kept you guessing from the start and the action at the end is trilling! I will be back for more.

This is a very entertaining and enjoyable book. I was not expecting air if what happens. That of course is what makes a novel. The characters are amazing. My favorite being Jayne. A true go-getter. She does not let her story, her history get in the way of what she needs to investigate. I am definitely going to recommend this book!!
5 Stars

Having read a number of books by the excellent Neil White and enjoyed them greatly, especially the series featuring Joe and Sam Parker, I was keen to see how his new venture would turn out. I am delighted to say that this is an excellent novel and bodes well for what will hopefully be a full series. Dan Grant is a solicitor in Greater Manchester who is suddenly handed a case previously worked by another legal practice, and he sets out to discover the background as well as trying to prove the innocence of his client Robert, who is accused of murder. With the help of Jodie, a previous client, he comes up against some unpleasant characters and a number of anomalies about the case. The book is engrossing from the start and the legal side of things is fascinating!

From The Shadows is the first book i have read from Neil White and while court room drama's/thrillers are not usually the genre i read i quite enjoyed this book.Based around the murder of Mary who lived in a shared house the book skips i along at a good pace,when lawyer Dan Grant is handed the case in strange circumstances just 2 weeks before Robert Carter is due to stand trial for Mary's murder.Helped by his assistant investigator Jayne Brett they set out to try and prove their clients innocence and along the way another murder is thrown up along with witness intimidation and few red herrings to muddy the waters.The book is a good 4 star solid read that had me turning the pages to the surprising ending..I enjoyed my first book from Neil White and will look out for him in the future.

I devoured this first book in the new series in a few days. This is a well written courtroom drama that keeps punching from left field! I am already looking forward to the next book! Well done! Thank you.

This is the first book I have read by Neil White and it won't be the last. Mary Is found murdered and everything points to Robert Carter as being the murderer. The DA Dan Grant, is given the case almost as it is going to trial, as the previous defender had a conflict of interest. Everyone assumes it is a cut and dried case, but Dan thinks differently. He starts to investigate further and turns up some interesting facts. There is a stalker who likes to watch people and even get into their homes to really know more about them. He is always watching, waiting for the right moment, getting to know their habits. This book will carry you along, making you feel a bit uneasy and describing in great detail the work involved in defending the accused.
I thank the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book

All hail the first in a new British legal thriller starring Dan Grant, and what a firecracker it is!

If someone would have said I’d have enjoyed reading anything about courtrooms I’d have said, “no, you’re alright thanks.” Except for the occasional Perry Mason episode it wouldn’t be my first choice of entertainment. So it’s a damned good job I was familiar with Neil White’s writing from reading his crime thriller “The Domino Killer” or I probably would have passed on this one, and THAT would have been a huge mistake!

I was mightily impressed by just how much the aspects of case preparation and court procedure intrigued me – the truth chasing, deciphering the witness testimony, the late additions of ‘forgetful’ interviewees, alongside lawyers’ etiquette and conduct both in and out of the court room.

Forget pages of endless paperwork and lengthy 'lawyer talk', the time just flew by as I was reading. "From the Shadows" excels when representing the demands placed on a defence lawyer with integrity and it genuinely kept me on the edge of my seat. What makes you suspect someone isn’t telling you the whole truth and everything but the truth? What if your appraisal of the evidence is off the mark and your case fell apart along with your client’s life? More importantly, what have you actually achieved if you succeed and the guilty go free? So many questions, so little time face Dan Grant, a lawyer with a moral compass directing him to places he may regret visiting.

Grant is the last hope for some and has earned a reputation for providing legal assistance with a conscience, both inside and outside the courtroom. Occasionally his work is shrouded in a mystery that is impossible to unravel, like this case involving a ‘creepy’ bloke accused of murdering a young woman in her bedroom was literally thrown to him like a hot potato after a rival law firm stated ‘conflict of interest’, plus there was only two weeks to the trial date.

With the help of his freelance assistant, a previous client he defended after she killed her abusive boyfriend in self-defence, they uncover witnesses who are too reluctant to talk to the police because of their personal ‘experience’ of them or for a gut feeling that Dan and his assistant cannot pin down, until it steps out "From the shadows".

Conflicting facts and maintaining chameleon-like social skills to adapt to people from all walks of life is emotionally and physically demanding, especially when the only thing you can believe is that your client is holding something back. But that doesn’t mean they are not entitled to have representation to convey their version of events before a jury. After all, what if ‘the whole truth’ hasn't been revealed yet?

This story shows anything can be waiting in the shadows. Tremendous work, Mr White – I loved it!

Very very good book well worth a read couldn't put it down.

Thanks Netgalley. Love this author and everything he writes and eagerly await his next novel. This book will not disappoint.

We meet the killer first, and we are aware of the crime happening offstage as we meet the lawyer and his down-in-the-heel female investigator (who is a main character also from his past when he defended her) during a series of ever-receding time frames - a bit hard to keep track of and finally I gave up - although the past is important for all participants - perpetrator and lawyer and investigator it does not matter too much if we keep the chronology. Even the lawyer is first presented during an old case, and then updated. His character continues to focus as the novel goes and it takes a while for him to gell on the page, his idealism is word lightly but everyone refers to it. Very competent and the narrative throttles along. He's written others which I'll go seek out - maybe they are a bit more confident than this one ...

A terrific who dunnit that keeps your interest peaked all the way through. I loved the main characters and would like read about their next case.

Oh my goodness, Read this with the light on! What started as a courtroom thriller, quickly changes into a gripping whodunit, while also being creepy and chilling!

Fantastic!

Thanks to the publishers and Net Gallery for the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of publication. This is my own personal opinion and I have not been paid for writing this review.
My first book read by Neil White and on the basis of this certainly won't be my last.
A young school teacher is murdered in her own house and there are several characters in the frame for the crime. The lawyer for the defence hands over the case to an other lawyer who in conjunction with his female assistant start to investigate and despite the threat to back off they start to unravel the true story of what happened that night.
Few twists and turns along the way with the a further murder before the truth in uncovered at the last minute during the court case.
A very worthwhile read and highly recommended to fans of this genre.

Excellent new series from an underrated author who deserves to become far better known.

He introduces a new character, a defence lawyer dedicated to his job but one who tried to play by the rules. He is assisted by an investigator who is a former client when a victim of domestic abuse.

The court scenes are gripping and credible and the plot is full of twists and turns.

Highly recommended.

I love Neil white books,from the shadow is a great book,you have courtroom drama and crime thriller in one book,it was a bit scary that you can be watched and not know it,and someone could come into your home and you don't know,if you read this book you won't be disappointed,Neil white is a top crime fiction writer,a must read,i didn't want to put it down.

Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book in a series with Dan Grant, a defence lawyer, as the central character. The book blurb says 'he hides in the shadows, watching, waiting, until the time is right......' This absolutely sets the scene for a crime book which is part procedural, partly really creepy, filled with plenty of interesting characters and sets up the back stories for what promises to be a really good series. There is a good solid storyline and plenty of twists and turns to keep your interest.

Dan Grant has promise as a character to base a series of books around. He is a lawyer and therefore, each book could feature a new case. But Jayne Brett is also very interesting with a complicated background and an attraction to Dan which adds a 'will they, won't they' edge. Jayne's future role is much less clear. She could be in the next episode and equally well could be written out. I think it would be disappointing if she doesn't stick around.

I love a series of books - not to read one immediately after another, but to dip back into familiar characters after a period of absence, often a year. Generally, I think the books get better and better as you anticipate the familiarity of the setup and the characterisation develops and you understand more about the people involved . I look forward to reading number 2 in the series.

This was thriller that kept you entrapped until the final page. A very good read.